Horatio Takes a Vacation

chapter 3

Speed unlocked the door to his apartment , slowly , feeling every inch of the exhaustion that threatened to take him over. He threw his keys on to the table and watched helplessly as they skidded across the slick surface and landed on the floor. He then took his gun off and dropped it on the table and kicked his shoes off. There was a moment when he thought that he could make it upstairs to his bedroom, but when he saw his couch, he rethought that and slumped down face first on to the soft leather. Sleep came fast and easy for him and soon he was snoring heavily.

As he continued to snore, he faintly heard the chirping of his cell phone under him. He turned slightly and heard it again. Feeling himself starting to wake up, he dug into his pocket to fish the contraption out.

Without opening his eyes, he flipped the phone up and spoke with a thick tongue, " This better be life and death."

" Speed, it's nice to hear from you too," a familiar voice said .

Speed opened his eyes quickly and sat up, making the room spin.

" Horatio? What's the problem?"

" I was just calling to see how you were doing. How are things going at the lab?"

"Fine," Speed lied.

"Really? And things are going well with the cases? How's everyone treating you?"

" The cases are progressing, but the personnel? Let's just say I'm not inviting anyone over for cocktails," Speed said sarcastically.

" That bad, huh?" Horatio asked lightly.

" Ummhumm. H, how did you get used to this?"

" I just took it one day at a time and I delegated. There's no need of you thinking that you can do everything, Speed. You are just a man," Horatio replied wisely.

" It seems so easy when you are on the outside looking in. So , while I'm here struggling, are you having a good time?" Speed said as he stood up slowly. He was up now and there was no need to try to lay back down.

" Yes, but something is telling me that I should come back early," Horatio said .

As much as Speed wanted him to return, he shook his head. If anyone deserved to take a break, it was Horatio, no matter what was going on.

" No, H. Everything is fine, really. You stay and enjoy your little umbrella drink," Speed said with a smile.

He heard Horatio as he sighed lightly and smirked. The lieutenant wasn't just checking up on him, he was actually missing the lab.

"Well, I'll let you go. I know the early morning call outs are murder," Horatio said.

" Right H. See you next week?"

" Maybe since things are going so well..."

" No, H, next week," Tim said with a hint ofsternessin his voice. He didn't know how much more he could take of this.

" Alright, next week. Take care, Speed," Horatio replied as he hung up the phone.

Speed flipped the phone down and tossed it on his couch. He wasn't sleepy anymore and he really wasn't hungry. He couldn't believe that he was actually bored. Speed slipped on his shoes and grabbed his keys off of the floor and walked out of his apartment, not knowing really where to go.

CSI

" Calleigh Duquense, you work entirely too much," Valera was saying as they met each other in the hall. The day shift had long gone home and the halls of the lab were deserted.

" Look who's talking . I see I'm not the only one with my lab coat on," Calleigh returned with a slight twinge of her southern accent.

" I just had to finish some reports for Speedle. He wasn't very happy today with the fire in the trace lab and everything."

" Oh don't mind Speed," Calleigh said dismissing with a wave, " he's just trying to be a hard ass."

" Calleigh,..."

" What, Max?"

" You like him don't you?" Valera asked as they continued walking down the corridor.

" Are you insane? I do not like Tim Speedle."

" Yes , you do. I can see it in those shifty green eyes."

" Whatever makes you think that, Max? He's hardly my type. I think of him as a brother, an annoying brother. Nothing more." Calleigh said as she felt her color change. " And shifty eyes?"

" Riight. I think all it's going to take is the right situation and viola , you two will be getting married," Valera said as she turned to go up the stairs to Horatio's office.

" I think Eric needs to take you to a shrink , because you are seriously in need of help," Calleigh said waving to her. " I'll see you tomorrow, Maxie."

Calleigh walked to the garage door and pushed it . There was no way that she had anything but a professional relationship with Tim. No way, she thought.

CSI

The next morning, Speed walked into the lobby of the CSI lab refreshed. For once , he was allowed to sleep in without being called out of bed at some ungodly hour. He smiled at Paula as she handed him his messages and made his way to the trace lab. Opening the doors, he saw as the maintenance personnel were putting in the new mass spec. Maybe today will be better, Speed thought to himself as he turned to walk out of the trace lab. Ascending the stairs , he saw someone in Horatio's office. He quickened his pace, knowing that no one should be in there.

" Excuse me, can I help you?" Speed asked as he opened the door. A tall woman turned around and faced him. She had long brown hair and piercing blue eyes.

" Yes, I'm looking for an Horatio Caine," the woman said as she glanced at him.

"He's not here. He's on vacation."

" Well , maybe I should come back when he's available."

" That will be next week, Mrs..."

"Miss, actually. I'm Hayden Caine, Horatio's sister."

TBC...

A/N: I thought I would throw that in for good keeps... What's going to happen now?